Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative is making investments to improve the electric grid

More than 26,000 meters across the system were replaced with new technology over two years, 2021-2022. Existing meters were outdated and our supplier stopped making replacement parts. The meter upgrade was an opportunity to benefit the co-op and our members.

The upgrade included deployment of a new metering system, remote-controlled equipment in the field, the ability to install future line sensors and software platforms to manage the technology.

BENEFITS FOR CO-OP MEMBERS

• Reduced outage time! Automated, real-time outage reporting for faster outage restoration.
• Know when the power is out with improved outage communications.
• Accurate, immediate outage reports also prevent freeze-ups at cabins and second homes.
• Know your energy use in real-time! More energy information helps members save energy and money.
• More efficient billing process.
• More efficient operation of the grid for reliable electricity and cost savings.
• Improved and more effective load management.
• Improved safety for employees, members and the public.
• Remote disconnects reduce labor, vehicle fuel and maintenance costs, and carbon emissions.

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

Why did Polk-Burnett install this technology?
Existing meters were outdated and our meter supplier stopped making replacement parts, so the meter at your location couldn't be repaired if it failed. Polk-Burnett has more than 26,000 electric meters in use, and we invested in the best technology to upgrade equipment and bring new benefits to our members.

Was power interrupted during the meter upgrade?
You may have experienced a brief outage when we replaced the meter. If so, the outage lasted only a few minutes.

Do I need to be home when you installed the new meter?
No, all work was completed outside, but we knocked on your door before the meter was installation. We asked members to make sure the meter was accessible.

How does the technology work?
The new meters are solid state electric meters that collect and transmit metering information back to our office. The information is collected by the meter, saved in packets and sent via radio frequency back to our office a few times per day. The radio frequency is similar to other technologies that you are familiar with such as baby monitors and garage door openers.

What are the benefits of new meters?
New metering technology communicates meter readings and outage information directly to Polk-Burnett’s office and helps us prevent outages by identifying failing or overloaded equipment before the situation turns into an extended power outage. When an outage occurs, the system will rapidly collect information from individual meters and automatically report the outage so power can be restored, even if the member is away from home. 

A summary of benefits:
• Reduced outage time! Automated, real-time outage reporting for faster outage restoration.
• Know when the power is out with improved outage communications.
• Accurate, immediate outage reports also prevent freeze-ups.
• Know your energy use in real-time! More energy information helps members save energy and money.
• More efficient billing process.
• More efficient operation of the grid for reliable electricity and cost savings.
• Improved and more effective load management.
• Improved safety for employees, members and the public.
• Remote disconnects reduce labor, vehicle fuel and maintenance costs, and carbon emissions.

What was the timeline for the meter upgrade?
Over a two-year period (2021-2022), more than 26,000 meters across the system were replaced with new technology. Beginning in early 2021, the co-op installed equipment at the substations and on power poles to interconnect the system. A few meters were installed to test operations and performance of the interconnected systems. We began installation of new meters in the spring of 2021, with the complete project taking approximately 24 months.

What was the project cost?
The cost for the meter upgrade was about $5 million over two years. This was in addition to millions invested into the co-op’s system each year for new construction and maintenance of 3,000+ miles of power lines. Systems upgrades and investments are approved by the board to ensure a reliable grid and power for member homes, farms and businesses.

What about privacy?
Electric meters provide energy use information for billing and resolving problems with your electric service. All personal information about our members is confidential; energy data is strictly limited to the provision of electric service. We do not disclose, share, rent, lease or sell members’ energy information, unless it’s required by law.

Are advanced meters safe?
Electrical meters and communication networks are certified to federal standards for safe and secure operation. Advanced meters are electrical devices with communication capabilities, and as such they emit energy. These emissions are well below the limits set for safe operation and in fact are well below the emissions for many common household devices such as mobile phones, microwave ovens and internet routers.

What cybersecurity protections are there with this new technology? Is transmitted information secure?
Data privacy and security of the grid are a top priority for us. Protection begins at the meter, where technology defends against hacking and information is encoded whenever data is transmitted.

Polk-Burnett takes cybersecurity seriously and regards it as essential to the success of this project and our mission to provide reliable electricity. One of the major factors in selecting our supplier for the meter upgrade was evaluating the cybersecurity of the equipment before installation. We require our meter supplier to follow best practices, use appropriate countermeasures against potential threats and ensure that systems are updated as future cybersecurity vulnerabilities are discovered. While no system can ever be considered 100% secure against every threat, we are confident that Polk-Burnett and our partners are following best practices and standards to maintain a secure electric system.

Meter Upgrade Brochure PDF

For more information about Polk-Burnett’s Electric Grid and Meter Upgrade, contact:
Todd Schulte
Member Services Manager
800-421-0283, ext. 319
tschulte@polkburnett.com